U.S. patent application number 17/503361 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for display device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Display Co., LTD.. Invention is credited to Seung Hwan CHO, Jong Hyun CHOI, Tae Hyun KIM, Min Seong YI.
Application Number | 20220093720 17/503361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006004497 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220093720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YI; Min Seong ; et
al. |
March 24, 2022 |
DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A display device including a display area and a non-display
area, the display device including a plurality of data wires
disposed in the display area and in the non-display area, a
plurality of connecting wires disposed in the display area and
connected to the data wires, a plurality of dummy patterns disposed
in the display area in the same layer as the connecting wires, and
shielding patterns disposed on the connecting wires. First gaps are
defined between the connecting wires and the dummy patterns, and
the shielding patterns overlap with the first gaps.
Inventors: |
YI; Min Seong; (Seoul,
KR) ; CHO; Seung Hwan; (Yongin-si, KR) ; KIM;
Tae Hyun; (Seoul, KR) ; CHOI; Jong Hyun;
(Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Display Co., LTD. |
Yongin-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006004497 |
Appl. No.: |
17/503361 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16729440 |
Dec 29, 2019 |
11183555 |
|
|
17503361 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/047 20130101;
H01L 27/3246 20130101; G06F 2203/04107 20130101; H01L 27/326
20130101; H01L 27/3276 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 27/32 20060101
H01L027/32; G06F 3/047 20060101 G06F003/047; G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0016318 |
Claims
1. A display device including a display area and a non-display
area, the display device comprising: a plurality of data wires
disposed in the display area and in the non-display area; a
plurality of connecting wires disposed in the display area and
connected to the data wires; a plurality of dummy patterns disposed
in the display area in the same layer as the connecting wires; and
shielding patterns disposed on the connecting wires, wherein: first
gaps are defined between the connecting wires and the dummy
patterns; and the shielding patterns overlap with the first
gaps.
2. The display device of claim 1, wherein: the non-display area
includes first and second non-display areas; and the connecting
wires extend from the first non-display area and are connected to
the data wires in the second non-display area through the display
area.
3. The display device of claim 1, wherein: the dummy patterns
comprise first dummy patterns disposed between the connecting wires
and second dummy patterns which are separated from the first dummy
patterns; second gaps are defined between the first dummy patterns
and the second dummy patterns; and the shielding patterns further
overlap with the second gaps.
4. The display device of claim 3, wherein: the display area
includes a first area in which the connecting wires are disposed
and a second area which accounts for the rest of the display area;
and the dummy patterns further comprise third dummy patterns
disposed in the second area and fourth dummy patterns which are
separated from the third dummy patterns.
5. The display device of claim 4, wherein: third gaps are defined
between the third dummy patterns and the fourth dummy patterns; and
the shielding patterns further overlap with the third gaps.
6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the shielding patterns
are disposed in the display area and comprise: a plurality of first
touch electrodes arranged in multiple columns along a first
direction; and connecting electrodes connecting the first touch
electrodes.
7. The display device of claim 6, wherein: the shielding patterns
are disposed in the display area and comprise a plurality of second
touch electrodes arranged in multiple rows along a second direction
that intersects the first direction; and the first touch electrodes
do not overlap with the second touch electrodes.
8. The display device of claim 1, wherein: the connecting wires
comprise a plurality of protruding wire patterns which are
projected from first sides of the connecting wires; fourth gaps are
defined between the protruding wire patterns; and the shielding
patterns further overlap with the fourth gaps.
9. The display device of claim 8, wherein: the protruding wire
patterns comprise first protruding wire patterns which are
projected in a first direction and second protruding wire patterns
which are projected in the opposite direction of the first
direction; and the fourth gaps are disposed between the first
protruding wire patterns and the second protruding wire
patterns.
10. The display device of claim 8, wherein: the protruding wire
patterns comprise: third protruding wire patterns which are
projected in a second direction that intersects the first
direction; and fourth protruding wire patterns which are projected
in the opposite direction of the second direction; and the fourth
gaps are disposed between the third protruding wire patterns and
the fourth protruding wire patterns.
11. The display device of claim 8, wherein: the dummy patterns
comprise sixth dummy patterns and first protruding dummy patterns
and second protruding dummy patterns which are both projected from
the sixth dummy patterns; fifth gaps are defined between the first
protruding dummy patterns and the second protruding dummy patterns;
and the shielding patterns further overlap with the fifth gaps.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/729,440, filed on Dec. 29, 2019, which claims priority
from the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0016318,
filed on Feb. 12, 2019, each of which is incorporated by reference
for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a
display device.
Discussion of the Background
[0003] Display devices have increasingly become of great importance
with the development of multimedia. Accordingly, various display
devices, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic
light-emitting diode (OLED) display device, or the like have been
developed.
[0004] Particularly, the OLED display device displays an image
using OLEDs which generate light by combining electrons and holes
together. The OLED display device has a fast response speed, high
luminance, and wide viewing angles and can be driven at low
power.
[0005] A typical display device displays images only at the front
thereof, and recently, a display device capable of displaying
images on the sides thereof has been developed.
[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for understanding of the background of inventive concepts,
and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute
prior art.
SUMMARY
[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display
device capable of minimizing the size of a non-display area and
preventing degradation of display quality.
[0008] Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
inventive concepts.
[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a display
device including a display area and a non-display area, the display
device including a plurality of data wires disposed in the display
area and in the non-display area, a plurality of connecting wires
disposed in the display area and connected to the data wires, a
plurality of dummy patterns disposed in the display area in the
same layer as the connecting wires, and shielding patterns disposed
on the connecting wires. First gaps are defined between the
connecting wires and the dummy patterns, and the shielding patterns
overlap with the first gaps.
[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the invention, and together with the description
serve to explain the inventive concepts.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a development view of the display device of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III'
of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a touch sensing layer according to
an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of an area FF1 of FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the display device of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII'
of FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating how a touch sensing layer
is arranged over the structure of FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of
FIG. 9.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG.
11.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG.
13.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG.
15.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 18 is an exemplary cross-sectional view taken along
line XVIII-XVIII' of FIG. 17.
[0030] FIG. 19 is another exemplary cross-sectional view taken
along line XVIII-XVIII' of FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Features of the inventive concept and methods of
accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference
to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and
the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.
Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the
concept of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art, and
the inventive concept will only be defined by the appended
claims.
[0032] When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being
"on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it
may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element
or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. When,
however, an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on,"
"directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element
or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. To
this end, the term "connected" may refer to physical, electrical,
and/or fluid connection, with or without intervening elements.
Further, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis are not limited
to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as the x, y,
and z-axes, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example,
the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis may be perpendicular to
one another, or may represent different directions that are not
perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of this disclosure,
"at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the
group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be construed as X only, Y
only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z,
such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0033] Although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used
herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should
not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish
one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed
below could be termed a second element without departing from the
teachings of the disclosure.
[0034] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below,"
"under," "lower," "above," "upper," "over," "higher," "side" (e.g.,
as in "sidewall"), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive
purposes, and, thereby, to describe one elements relationship to
another element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially
relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of
an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to
the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the
apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as
"below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be
oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above
and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented
(e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such,
the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used
herein, the singular forms, "a," "an," and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," and/or "including," when used in this specification,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms
"substantially," "about," and other similar terms, are used as
terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such,
are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured,
calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one
of ordinary skill in the art.
[0036] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with
reference to sectional and/or exploded illustrations that are
schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or
intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the
illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques
and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments
disclosed herein should not necessarily be construed as limited to
the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include
deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing.
In this manner, regions illustrated in the drawings may be
schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions may not reflect
actual shapes of regions of a device and, as such, are not
necessarily intended to be limiting.
[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used
dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is
consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art
and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal
sense, unless expressly so defined herein.
[0038] It will be understood that when an element or layer is
referred to as being "on", "connected to" or "coupled to" another
element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to
the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or
layers present. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0039] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below,"
"lower," "above," "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease
of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to
another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It
will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements
described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would
then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above
and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees
or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors
used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0040] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements,
components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited
by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one
element, component, region, layer or section from another region,
layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer
or section discussed below could be termed a second element,
component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the inventive concept.
[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a
development view of the display device of FIG. 1.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device 1 may display
images. For example, the display device 1 may be an organic
light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD)
device, a plasma display panel (PDP) device, a field emission
display (FED) device, or an electrophoretic display (EPD) device.
The display device 1 will hereinafter be described as being, for
example, an OLED device, but the inventive concept is not limited
thereto.
[0044] The display device 1 may be applied not only to portable
electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet
personal computer (PC), a smartwatch, a watch phone, a mobile
communication terminal, an electronic notebook, an electronic book
(e-book) reader, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation
device, or an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), but also to various other
products, such as a television (TV), a notebook computer, a
monitor, a billboard, or an Internet-of-things (IoT) device.
[0045] The display device 1 may include a main display surface 10
and a plurality of sub-display surfaces (11 through 14).
[0046] The main display surface 10 may generally have a plate shape
and may be disposed on one plane of the display device 1, and may
account for the largest area (or size) among all the display
surfaces of the display device 1. For example, the main display
surface 10 may be located on the top surface of the display device
1. The main display surface 10 may have various planar shapes, such
as a polygonal shape (e.g., a rectangular shape), a circular shape,
or an elliptical shape.
[0047] The plurality of sub-display surfaces (11 through 14) may be
located on different planes from the main display surface 10. Each
of the plurality of sub-display surfaces (11 through 14) may have a
smaller area than the main display surface 10, and the plurality of
sub-display surfaces (11 through 14) may be located on different
planes from one another. The plurality of sub-display surfaces (11
through 14) may be connected to the sides of the main display
surface 10 and may be bent or folded from the main display surface
10 (or from the sides of the main display surface 10).
[0048] For example, in a case where the main display surface 10 has
a rectangular shape, the display device 1 may include first through
fourth sub-display surfaces 11 through 14, and the first through
fourth sub-display surfaces 11 through 14 may be connected to the
four sides of the main display surface 10.
[0049] The first sub-display surface 11 may be connected to a first
long side of the main display surface 10 and may be bent vertically
from the main display surface 10 to form a left side surface of the
display device 1. Similarly, the second sub-display surface 12 may
be connected to a second long side of the main display surface 10
and may be bent vertically from the main display surface 10 to form
a right side surface of the display device 1. The third sub-display
surface 13 may be connected to a first short side of the main
display surface 10 to form an upper side surface of the display
surface 10, and the fourth sub-display surface 14 may be connected
to a second short side of the main display surface 10 to form a
lower side surface of the display surface 10.
[0050] In this case, the display device 1 may be a stereoscopic
display device capable of displaying images on the top surface and
the side surfaces thereof. FIG. 2 illustrates that the bottom
surface of the display device 1 does not include a display surface,
but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively,
the display device 1 may include a bottom surface capable of
displaying images.
[0051] The display device 1 may include a display area DA and a
non-display area NDA. The display area DA, which is an area where
images are displayed, may include a plurality of pixels PX, which
are the smallest units for displaying an image. The non-display
area NDA, which is an area where no images are displayed, may not
include pixels PX, and will be described later in detail.
[0052] The display area DA may include a main display area DA0 and
first through fourth sub-display areas DA1 through DA4.
[0053] The main display area DA0 may be located on the main display
surface 10. For example, the main display surface 10 may include
only the main display area DA0. The first sub-display area DA1 may
be located on the first sub-display surface 11 and may be connected
to the main display area DA0. Similarly, the second through fourth
display areas DA2 through DA4 may be located on the second through
fourth sub-display surfaces 12 through 14, respectively, and may be
connected to the main display area DA0.
[0054] In a development view of the display device 1, the
non-display area NDA may be disposed along the sides of the display
area DA (or along the outermost edges of the display area DA
including the main display surface 10 and the first through fourth
sub-display surfaces 11 through 14). In the non-display area NDA,
driving wires and driving circuits may be disposed. The non-display
area NDA may include a decoration ink and a black matrix for
preventing leakage light, but the inventive concept is not limited
thereto.
[0055] The non-display area NDA may include first through fourth
non-display areas (or first through fourth sub-non-display areas)
NDA1 through NDA4. The first non-display area NDA1 may be located
on the first sub-display surface 11. Similarly, the second through
fourth non-display areas NDA2 through NDA4 may be located on the
second through fourth non-display surfaces 12 through 14,
respectively.
[0056] The non-display area NDA may include first through fourth
corner wings 21 through 24. The first through fourth corner wings
21 through 24 may be disposed adjacent to the corners of the main
display surface 10 (where pairs of adjacent sides of the main
display surface 10 meet). The first through fourth corner wings 21
through 24 may be substantially the same except for their
locations. The characteristics of the first through fourth corner
wings 21 through 24 will hereinafter be described, taking the first
corner wing 21 as an example.
[0057] The first corner wing 21 may protrude outwardly from one of
the corners of the main display surface 10. The first corner wing
21 may be disposed between the first and fourth sub-display
surfaces 11 and 14 (or between the first and fourth sub-display
areas DA1 and DA4) and may alleviate the angle between the first
and fourth sub-display surfaces 11 and 14 into an obtuse angle. One
end of the first corner wing 21 may be disposed on the first
sub-display surface 11, and the other end of the first corner wing
21 may be disposed on the fourth sub-display surface 14.
[0058] The first corner wing 21 may provide space for arranging
signal wires or which is passed through by signal wires. In a case
where the first and fourth sub-display surfaces 11 and 14 are bent,
the first corner wing 21 may be folded inwardly (i.e., in a
direction toward the inner space of the display device 1 or toward
the center of gravity of the display device 1). In this case, the
first corner wing 21 may be bent along a bending line 20 so that
both ends of the first corner wing 21 that are adjacent to the
first and fourth sub-display surfaces 11 and 14) may face each
other. Both ends of the first corner wing 21 may be placed in
contact with each other or may be coupled together by a coupling
layer or the like.
[0059] Since the first corner wing 21 is folded inwardly when the
first and fourth sub-display surfaces 11 and 14 are bent, the first
corner wing 21 may not be exposed, and similarly, the second,
third, and fourth corner wings 22, 23, and 24 may also not be
exposed. Thus, the first through fourth corner wings 21 through 24
may be included in the non-display area NDA.
[0060] The non-display area NDA may further include a driving area
30, and the driving area 30 may be connected to at least one of the
first through fourth sub-display surfaces 11 through 14. For
example, the driving area 30 may be connected to one side of the
fourth sub-display surface 14 (e.g., the lower side of the fourth
sub-display surface 14 in a development view of the display device
1).
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the fourth sub-display
surface 14 is bent perpendicularly from the main display surface
10, the driving area 30 may be further bent perpendicularly from
the fourth sub-display surface 14 (i.e., by an angle of 180.degree.
with respect to the main display surface 10) and may thus be
disposed below the main display surface 10 in a thickness direction
from the main display surface 10. The driving area 30 may overlap
with the main display surface 10 and may be parallel to the main
display surface 10.
[0062] The display device 1 may include a driver chip 40 (or a pad
portion in which the driver chip 40 is disposed and which is
electrically connected to the driver chip 40), and the driver chip
40 may be disposed in the driving area 30. The driver chip 40 may
generate driving signals for driving the pixels PX and may provide
the generated driving signals to the display area DA (or to the
pixels PX). For example, the driver chip 40 may generate data
signals for determining the emission luminances of the pixels PX
and may provide the data signals to the pixels PX via driving wires
(not illustrated) formed in the driving area 30 and via data wires
(not illustrated) formed in the main display surface 10 and the
first through fourth sub-display surfaces 11 through 14.
[0063] The display device 1 may further include a touch driving
circuit (not illustrated). The touch driving circuit may be
connected to touch electrodes of a touch sensing layer TSL. The
touch driving circuit applies driving signals to the touch
electrodes and measures the static capacitances of the touch
electrodes. The driving signals may be signals having multiple
driving pulses. The touch driving circuit not only can determine
the presence of touch input based on the static capacitances of the
touch electrodes, but also can calculate the touch coordinates of
the location where the touch input is entered.
[0064] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG.
2.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 3, the display device 1 may include a
substrate 101, a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer TFTL, a
light-emitting element layer EML, a thin-film encapsulation layer
TFEL, and the touch sensing layer TSL.
[0066] The substrate 101 may be a flexible substrate that is
bendable, foldable, or rollable. For example, the flexible
substrate may include polyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PA),
polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate
(PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide
(PPS), polyallylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose
triacetate (CAT), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), or a
combination thereof.
[0067] The TFT layer TFTL may be disposed on the substrate 101. In
the TFT layer TFTL, the TFTs of the pixels PX, scan lines, data
lines, power lines, scan control lines, and link lines connecting
pads and the data lines may be formed. Each of the TFTs of the
pixels PX may include a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a
source electrode, and a drain electrode.
[0068] The TFT layer TFTL may be disposed in the display area DA
and in the non-display area NDA. Specifically, the TFTs of the
pixels PX, the scan lines, the data lines, and the power lines may
be disposed in the display area DA, and the scan control lines and
the link lines may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.
[0069] The light-emitting element layer EML may be disposed on the
TFT layer TFTL. The light-emitting element layer EML may include
the pixels PX, each including a first electrode, an emission layer,
and a second electrode, and a pixel-defining layer 176 defining the
pixels PX (FIG. 10). The emission layer may be an organic emission
layer including an organic material, in which case, the emission
layer may include a hole transport layer, an organic light-emitting
layer, and an electron transport layer. In response to a
predetermined voltage being applied to the first electrode via the
TFT layer TFTL and a cathode voltage being applied to the second
electrode, holes and electrons may move from the hole transport
layer and the electron transport layer to the organic
light-emitting layer and may combine together in the organic
light-emitting layer to emit light. The pixels PX of the
light-emitting element layer EML may be disposed in the display
area DA.
[0070] The thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may be disposed on
the light-emitting element layer EML. The thin-film encapsulation
layer TFEL prevents oxygen or moisture from infiltrating into the
light-emitting element layer EML. To this end, the thin-film
encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least one inorganic film.
The inorganic film may include a silicon nitride layer, a silicon
oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, or
an aluminum oxide layer, but the inventive concept is not limited
thereto. Also, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL protects the
light-emitting element layer EML against foreign materials, such as
dust. To this end, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may
include at least one organic film. The organic film may include an
acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin,
or a PI resin, but the inventive concept is not limited
thereto.
[0071] The thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may be disposed in
both the display area DA and the non-display area NDA.
Specifically, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL may be
disposed to cover the light-emitting element layer EML in both the
display area DA and the non-display area NDA and to cover the TFT
layer TFTL in the non-display area NDA.
[0072] The touch sensing layer TSL may be disposed on the thin-film
encapsulation layer TFEL. Since the touch sensing layer TSL can be
disposed directly on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL, the
thickness of the display device 1 can be reduced as compared to a
case where an additional touch panel including the touch sensing
layer TSL is attached to the thin-film encapsulation layer
TFEL.
[0073] The touch sensing layer TSL may include touch electrodes for
detecting touch input from a user in a capacitive manner and touch
lines connecting the touch electrodes. For example, the touch
sensing layer TSL may detect touch input from the user in a
self-capacitance manner or a mutual capacitance manner.
[0074] A cover window may be additionally disposed on the touch
sensing layer TSL, in which case, the touch sensing layer TSL and
the cover window may be attached together by a transparent adhesive
member. The touch sensing layer TSL will hereinafter be
described.
[0075] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a touch sensing layer according to
an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged
plan view of an area FF1 of FIG. 4.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch sensing layer TSL
includes a touch sensing area TSA, which is for detecting touch
input from the user, and a touch peripheral area TPA, which is
disposed on the periphery of the touch sensing area TSA.
[0077] First touch signal lines TL1, second touch signal lines TL2,
third touch signal lines RL, and touch electrode pads TP may be
disposed in the touch peripheral area TPA.
[0078] First ends of the first touch signal lines TL1 may be
connected to first touch electrodes TE disposed in the touch
sensing area TSA. Second ends of the first touch signal lines TL1
may be connected to some of the touch electrode pads TP disposed in
a touch pad area. That is, the first touch signal lines TL1 connect
the first touch electrodes TE disposed in the touch sensing area
TSA of the fourth display area DA4 and some of the touch electrode
pads TP disposed in the touch pad area.
[0079] First ends of the second touch signal lines TL2 may be
connected to first touch electrodes TE disposed in the touch
sensing area TSA of the third display area DA3. Second ends of the
second touch signal lines TL2 may be connected to some of the touch
electrode pads TP disposed in the touch pad area via the third
non-display area NDA3 and the first non-display area NDA1. That is,
the second touch signal lines TL2 connect the first touch
electrodes TE disposed in the touch sensing area TSA of the third
display area DA3 and some of the touch electrode pads TP disposed
in the touch pad area.
[0080] First ends of the third touch signal lines RL may be
connected to second touch electrodes RE disposed in the touch
sensing area TSA of the second display area DA2. Second ends of the
third touch signal lines RL may be connected to the other touch
electrode pads TP disposed in the touch pad area. That is, the
third touch signal lines RL connect the second touch electrodes RE
disposed in the touch sensing area TSA of the second display area
DA2 and the other touch electrode pads TP disposed in the touch pad
area.
[0081] The touch electrode pads TP may be disposed on one side of
the display device 1. A touch circuit board may be attached on the
touch electrode pads TP via an anisotropic conductive film. As a
result, the touch electrode pads TP can be electrically connected
to the touch circuit board.
[0082] The touch sensing area TSA may be disposed in the display
area DA and may include the first touch electrodes TE, the second
touch electrodes RE, and connecting electrodes BE.
[0083] The first touch electrodes TE may be spaced apart from the
second touch electrodes RE.
[0084] The first touch electrodes TE may be arranged in a plurality
of columns along a first direction W1, and the second touch
electrodes RE may be arranged in a plurality of rows along a second
direction W2. In each of the plurality of columns, the first touch
electrodes TE may be electrically connected in the first direction
W1. In each of the plurality of rows, the second touch electrodes
RE may be electrically connected in the second direction W2.
[0085] The first touch electrodes TE and the second touch
electrodes RE may be formed to have a diamond shape or a triangular
shape in a plan view. Specifically, the first touch electrodes TE
and the second touch electrodes RE may have a triangular shape in a
plan view near the edges of the touch sensing area TSA, and may
have a diamond shape in a plan view in the rest of the touch
sensing area TSA.
[0086] The first touch electrodes TE and the second touch
electrodes RE may be formed as mesh-type electrodes, as illustrated
in FIG. 5. In a case where the touch sensing layer TSL including
the first touch electrodes TE and the second touch electrodes RE is
formed directly on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEL, very
large parasitic capacitances may be generated between the second
electrode of the light-emitting element layer EML and the first
touch electrodes TE or the second touch electrodes RE of the touch
sensing layer TSL because of the second electrode of the
light-emitting element layer EML being too close to the first touch
electrodes TE or the second touch electrodes RE. Thus, the first
touch electrodes TE or the second touch electrodes RE may
preferably be formed as mesh-type electrodes, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, instead of being formed as non-patterned electrodes of a
transparent oxide conductive layer, such as an indium tin oxide
(ITO) or an indium zinc oxide (IZO) layer.
[0087] The first touch electrodes TE and the second touch
electrodes RE may overlap with the pixel-defining layer 176, as
shown in FIG. 10. As a result, a decrease in the size of the
openings of the pixels PX can be prevented.
[0088] The planar shape of the first touch electrodes TE and the
second touch electrodes RE in the touch sensing area TSA is not
particularly limited.
[0089] In order to prevent the first touch electrodes TE and the
second touch electrodes RE from being short-circuited at
intersections therebetween, pairs of adjacent first touch
electrodes TE in the first direction W1 may be electrically
connected by the connecting electrodes BE through first contact
holes CNT1. In this case, the first touch electrodes TE and the
second touch electrode RE may be disposed in the same layer, and
the connecting electrodes BE may be disposed in a different layer
from the first touch electrodes TE and the second touch electrode
RE. Accordingly, first touch electrodes TE electrically connected
in the first direction W1 may be electrically insulated from second
touch electrodes RE electrically connected in the second direction
W2.
[0090] For example, the first touch electrodes TE, the second touch
electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes BE may overlap with
gaps G between dummy patterns DP and connecting wires 146 or
between the dummy patterns DP. That is, the gaps G, which are
formed in the display area DA, may be blocked by the first touch
electrodes TE, the second touch electrode RE, and the connecting
electrodes BE, and as a result, the reflection of external light by
the gaps G can be prevented, and smudges caused by the gaps G can
be prevented from becoming visible. This will be described later in
detail.
[0091] Signal wires and connecting wires for transmitting driving
signals will hereinafter be described.
[0092] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the display device of FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII' of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a
plan view illustrating how a touch sensing layer is arranged over
the structure of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken
along line X-X' of FIG. 9.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 6 through 10, the display device 1 may
include the data wires 136, the connecting wires 146, driving wires
60, and the dummy patterns DP.
[0094] The display area DA of the display device 1 may include
first and second areas DAA and DAB. The first area DAA may be an
area in which the connecting wires 146 are disposed. The second
area DAB may account for the rest of the display area DA.
[0095] The data wires 136, the connecting wires 146, the driving
wires 60, and the dummy patterns DP may be arranged symmetrically
with respect to a reference axis (not illustrated) that extends in
the first direction W1 to penetrate the center of the display
device 1. The data wires 136, the connecting wires 146, the driving
wires 60, and the dummy patterns DP will hereinafter be described,
taking, as an example, data wires 136, connecting wires 146,
driving wires 60, and dummy patterns DP that are all relatively
adjacent to the first sub-display surface 11.
[0096] The data wires 136 may include first through m-th data wires
(or signal wires) D1 through Dm (where m is an integer of 3 or
greater).
[0097] The first through m-th data wires D1 through Dm may extend
in the first direction W1 and may be sequentially arranged along
the second direction W2 to be a predetermined distance apart from
one another. The first through m-th data wires D1 through Dm may
extend across the display area DA. The first through k-th data
wires D1 through Dk (where k is an integer of 2 or greater and is
smaller than m) may be disposed in a single display surface
together. In the description that follows, it is assumed that k is
7, and that m is greater than 14.
[0098] The connecting wires 146 may electrically connect some of
the data wires 136 and some of the driving wires 60. The connecting
wires 146 may be disposed in a different layer from the data wires
136 and may be insulated from the data wires 136 by an insulating
layer, and will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.
[0099] The connecting wires 146 may include first through k-th
connecting wires DM1 through DMk which correspond to the first
through m-th data wires D1 through Dm. When k=7, the connecting
wires 146 may include first through seventh connecting wires DM1
through DM7. The first through seventh connecting wires DM1 through
DM7 may correspond to the first through seventh data wires D1
through D7, respectively, which are disposed on the first
sub-display surface 11.
[0100] The first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk may
extend from the fourth non-display area NDA4 of the fourth
sub-display surface 14 (e.g., from a lower part of the fourth
non-display area NDA4) to first ends of the data wires 136 (e.g.,
to a lower part of the first non-display area NDA1 of the first
sub-display surface 11 and the first corner wing 21) via the
display area DA. The first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk may be a predetermined distance apart from one another.
The distance between the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk may be the same as the distance between the data wires
136.
[0101] The first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk may
extend (e.g., in a leftward direction) from the fourth non-display
area NDA4 of the fourth sub-display surface 14 (e.g., the lower
part of the fourth non-display area NDA4) first in the first
direction W1 (e.g., an upward direction) and then in the second
direction W2 to reach the first ends of the data wires 136 (i.e.,
to the lower part of the first non-display area NDA1 of the first
sub-display surface 11).
[0102] That is, each of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk may include a first portion extending from the fourth
non-display area NDA4 in the first direction W1, a second portion
extending from the end of the first portion in the second direction
W2, and a third portion extending from the end of the second
portion in the first direction W1 (or in the opposite direction of
the first direction W1).
[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first portion of each of the
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk may overlap
with one of the data wires 136 in the display area DA. For example,
the first portion of the first connecting wire DM1 may overlap with
the eighth data wire D8, and the first portion of the seventh
connecting wire DM7 may overlap with the fourteenth data wire D14.
However, the inventive concept is not limited to this example. In
another example, the first portions of the first through k-th
connecting wires DM1 through DMk may not overlap with the data
wires 136 in the display area DA.
[0104] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the third portion of each of
the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk may overlap
with one of the data wires 136. For example, the third portion of
the first connecting wire DM1 may overlap with the seventh data
wire D7, and the third portion of the second connecting wire DM2
may overlap with the sixth data wire D6.
[0105] The connecting wires 146 are illustrated as being bent at a
right angle, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto.
[0106] The connecting wires 146 may not intersect one another, and
instead, connecting wires 146 relatively distant from the first
corner wing 21 may be disposed to bypass connecting wires 146
relatively adjacent to the first corner wing 21. For example, the
first connecting wire DM1 may be disposed to bypass the second
connecting wire DM2. That is, as the connecting wires 146 are
closer to, for example, the first corner wing 21, the locations at
which the connecting wires 146 are bent become closer to the
driving area 30, and as the connecting wires 146 are more distant
from the first corner wing 21, the locations at which the
connecting wires 146 are bent become more distant from the driving
area 30.
[0107] Since connecting wires 146 relatively distant from the first
corner wing 21 are disposed to bypass connecting wires 146
relatively close to the first corner wing 21, the connecting wires
146 may have different lengths. For example, the second connecting
wire DM2 may be longer than the first connecting wire DM1. That is,
an (i+1)-th connecting wire DMi+1 (where i is a positive integer)
may be longer than an i-th connecting wire DMi.
[0108] For example, the connecting wires 146 may have the same
resistance. For example, if the second connecting wire DM2 is
longer than the first connecting wire DM1, the first connecting
wire DM1 may have a greater width than the second connecting wire
DM2.
[0109] The connecting wires 146 may be connected one-on-one
directly to the data wires 136 via second contact holes CNT which
are formed in the non-display area NDA, particularly, in the lower
part of the first non-display area NDA1 and in the second corner
wing 22. For example, the first connecting wire DM1 may be
electrically connected to the seventh data wire D7, and the seventh
connecting wire DM7 may be electrically connected to the first data
wire D1. That is, the i-th connecting wire DMi may be electrically
connected to the (k+1-i)-th data wire DMk+1-i. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, the fifth data wire D5 may be disposed on a
fourth insulating layer 174, and the third through sixth connecting
wire DM3 through DM6 may be disposed on a fifth insulating layer
175 and may be insulated from the fifth data wire D5 by the fifth
insulating layer 175. The third connecting wire DM3 may extend to
the first end of the fifth data wire D5 and may be electrically
connected to the fifth data wire D5 via a second contact hole CNT2
that exposes the first end of the fifth data wire D5 through the
fifth insulating layer 175.
[0110] The driving wires 60 include driving wires (or pad wires or
pad connecting wires) 61a through 67a and 61b through 67b, and the
driving wires 61a through 67a and 61b through 67b may extend from
the driver chip 40 (or from the pad portion where the driver chip
40 is disposed) to the fourth non-display area NDA4 of the fourth
sub-display surface 14 (or to a tangent 51 between the driving area
30 and the fourth sub-display surface 14).
[0111] The driving wires 61a through 67a and 61b through 67b may be
divided into first and second driving wire groups 60a and 60b.
[0112] The driving wires 61a through 67a, which are included in the
first driving wire group 60a, may be disposed in a different layer
from the driving wires 61b through 67b, which are included in the
second driving wire group 60b, and may intersect the driving wires
61b through 67b in a plan view. The driving wires 61a through 67a
may be insulated from the driving wires 61b through 67b by an
insulating layer.
[0113] The driving wires 61a through 67a may be electrically
connected to the first through seventh data wires D1 through D7,
respectively, via the first through seventh connecting wires DM1
through DM7, respectively, which are disposed on the first
sub-display surface 11. The driving wires 61b through 67b may be
electrically connected to the eighth through fourteenth data wires
D8 through D14, respectively, via the driving wires 61b through
67b, respectively, which are disposed on the main display surface
10.
[0114] As described above, the display device 1 may include the
connecting wires 146, which are disposed to pass through the
display area DA, and image signals may be provided from the driver
chip 40 to the data wires 136 disposed on the first sub-display
surface 11 (and on the second sub-display surface 12) via the
connecting wires 146. Accordingly, any additional dead space for
connecting the data wires 136 disposed on the first sub-display
surface 11 (and on the second sub-display surface 12) directly to
the driving wires 60 is not needed. As a result, an increase in
dead space can be prevented.
[0115] Also, since the second contact holes CNT2, which
electrically connect the data wires 136 and the connecting wires
146, are formed in the non-display area NDA, the second contact
holes CNT2 can be prevented from interfering with the pixels PX (or
driving signals provided to the pixels PX). Accordingly, the
display quality of the display device 1 can be improved.
[0116] The dummy patterns DP will hereinafter be described.
[0117] The dummy patterns DP may be disposed in the first and
second areas DAA and DAB of the display area DA. The dummy patterns
DP may be disposed in the same layer as the connecting wires 146.
The dummy patterns DP may include, for example, a metal, an alloy,
a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, and/or a transparent
conductive material, and these materials may be used alone or in
combination with one another. For example, the dummy patterns DP
may include the same material as the connecting wires 146, and the
dummy patterns DP and the connecting wires 146 may be formed at the
same time.
[0118] For example, the dummy patterns DP may include first dummy
patterns DP1 and second dummy patterns DP2, and the first dummy
patterns DP1 and the second dummy patterns Dp2 may be disposed in
the first area DAA.
[0119] The first dummy patterns DP1 may extend in the first
direction W1 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel to one
another.
[0120] The first dummy patterns DP1 may be disposed between the
second portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk. For example, the first dummy patterns DP1 may be
disposed between the second portions of the first and second
connecting wires DM1 and DM2 and between the second portions of the
sixth and seventh connecting wires DM6 and DM7.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first dummy patterns DP1 may
overlap with the first through m-th data wires D1 through Dm in a
plan view. Accordingly, the first dummy patterns DP1 may be aligned
with the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. For
example, first dummy patterns DP1 overlapping with the first data
wire D1 may be aligned with the seventh connecting wire DM7, and
first dummy patterns DP1 overlapping with the seventh data wire D7
may be aligned with the first connecting wire DM1.
[0122] The first dummy patterns DP1 may be disposed parallel to the
first portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk. Also, the first dummy patterns DP1 may be disposed
parallel to the third portions of the first through k-th connecting
wires DM1 through DMk.
[0123] The distance between the first dummy patterns DP1 may be the
same as the distance in the second direction W2 between the first
through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk.
[0124] The second dummy patterns DP2 may extend in the second
direction W2 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel to one
another.
[0125] The second dummy patterns DP2 may be disposed between the
first portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk and between the third portions of the first through
k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. For example, the second
dummy patterns DP2 may be disposed between the first portions of
the first and second connecting wires DM1 and DM2 and between the
first portions of the sixth and seventh connecting wires DM6 and
DM7. Also, the second dummy patterns DP2 may be disposed between
the third portions of the first and second connecting wires DM1 and
DM2 and between the third portions of the sixth and seventh
connecting wires DM6 and DM7.
[0126] The second dummy patterns DP2 may be disposed parallel to
the second portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk. Also, the second dummy patterns DP2 may be aligned
with the second portions of the first through k-th connecting wires
DM1 through DMk.
[0127] The distance between the second dummy patterns DP2 may be
the same as the distance in the first direction W1 between the
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk.
[0128] For example, the first dummy patterns DP1 may have a smaller
average length than the second dummy patterns DP2.
[0129] For example, the dummy patterns DP may further include third
dummy patterns DP3 and fourth dummy patterns DP4, and the third
dummy patterns DP3 and the fourth dummy patterns DP4 may be
disposed in the second area DAB.
[0130] The third dummy patterns DP3 may extend in the first
direction W1 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel to one
another. A plurality of third dummy patterns DP3 may be disposed
between the fourth dummy patterns DP4 as island patterns.
[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the third dummy patterns DP3 may
overlap with the first through m-th data wires D1 through Dm in a
plan view. Accordingly, the third dummy patterns DP3 may be aligned
with the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk and/or
with the first dummy patterns DP1. For example, third dummy
patterns DP3 overlapping with the first data wire D1 may be aligned
with the seventh connecting wire DM7, and third dummy patterns DP3
overlapping with the seventh data wire D7 may be aligned with the
first connecting wire DM1. Also, third dummy patterns DP3
overlapping with the first data wire D1 may be aligned with the
first dummy patterns DP1 overlapping with the first data wire
D1.
[0132] The third dummy patterns DP3 may be disposed parallel to the
first portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk. Also, the third dummy patterns DP3 may be disposed
parallel to the third portions of the first through k-th connecting
wires DM1 through DMk. Also, the third dummy patterns DP3 may be
disposed parallel to the first dummy patterns DP1.
[0133] The distance between the third dummy patterns DP3 may be the
same as the distance in the second direction W2 between the first
through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. Also, the distance
between the third dummy patterns DP3 may be the same as the
distance in the second direction W2 between the first dummy
patterns DP1.
[0134] The length, in the first direction W1, of the third dummy
patterns DP3 may be the same as the length, in the first direction
W1, of the first dummy patterns DP1.
[0135] The fourth dummy patterns DP4 may extend in the second
direction W2 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel to one
another.
[0136] The fourth dummy patterns DP4 may be disposed parallel to
the second portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk. Also, the fourth dummy patterns DP4 may be disposed
parallel to the second dummy patterns DP2.
[0137] The distance between the fourth dummy patterns DP4 may be
the same as the distance in the first direction W1 between the
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. Also, the
distance between the fourth dummy patterns DP4 may be the same as
the distance in the first direction W1 between the second dummy
patterns DP2.
[0138] For example, the third dummy patterns DP3 may have a smaller
average length than the fourth dummy patterns DP4.
[0139] As described above, since the dummy patterns DP include the
first dummy patterns DP1, the second dummy patterns DP2, the third
dummy patterns DP3, and the fourth dummy patterns DP4, the dummy
patterns DP can form a lattice pattern shape in and across the
display area DA together with the connecting wires 146.
Accordingly, any differences in the shape of patterns between the
first and second areas DAA and DAB can be minimized, and as a
result, the connecting wires 146 can be prevented from becoming
visible.
[0140] For example, the dummy patterns DP may not overlap with the
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk in a plan view.
Accordingly, gaps G may be formed between the dummy patterns DP and
the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. For
example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, gaps G may be formed
between the first dummy patterns DP1 and the second portions of the
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. Also, gaps G
may be formed between the second dummy patterns DP2 and the first
portions (and/or the third portions) of the first through k-th
connecting wires DM1 through DMk. Also, gaps G may be formed
between the third dummy patterns DP3 and the second portions of the
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. Also, gaps G
may be formed between the fourth dummy patterns DP4 and the second
portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through
DMk.
[0141] The dummy patterns DP may not overlap with one another.
Accordingly, gaps G may be formed between the dummy patterns DP.
For example, the third dummy patterns DP3 may not overlap with the
fourth dummy patterns DP4 in a plan view, and gaps G may be formed
between the third dummy patterns DP3 and the fourth dummy patterns
DP4.
[0142] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the gaps G formed in
the display device 1 may overlap with the first touch electrodes
TE, the second touch electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes
BE. That is, the first touch electrodes TE, the second touch
electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes BE may block the gaps
G formed in the display area DA. Accordingly, the reflection of
external light by the gaps G can be prevented, and smudges caused
by the gaps G can be prevented from becoming visible. As a result,
the display quality of the display device 1 can be further
improved.
[0143] The arrangement of the first touch electrodes TE, the second
touch electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes BE to overlap
with the gaps G, however, is not particularly limited, and may
vary.
[0144] The cross-sectional structure of the display device 1 will
hereinafter be described.
[0145] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X' of
FIG. 9.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 10, the display device 1 may include the
substrate 101, a buffer layer 102, a semiconductor layer 105, a
first insulating layer 171, a first gate conductive layer 110, a
second insulating layer 172, a second gate conductive layer 120, a
third insulating layer 173, a first source/drain conductive layer
130, the fourth insulating layer 174, a second source/drain
conductive layer 140, the fifth insulating layer 175, a first
electrode layer 150, a light-emitting element layer EML (FIG. 3),
and a second electrode layer 160. The TFTs of the pixels PX may be
formed in the semiconductor layer 105, the first insulating layer
171, the first gate conductive layer 110, the second insulating
layer 172, and thus, the second gate conductive layer 120, and the
semiconductor layer 105, the first insulating layer 171, the first
gate conductive layer 110, the second insulating layer 172, and the
second gate conductive layer 120 may be collectively referred to as
a "driving element layer".
[0147] The substrate 101 may support the layers disposed thereon.
The substrate 101 may be formed of an insulating material. The
substrate 101 may be formed of an inorganic material such as glass
or quartz or may be formed of an organic material, such as a PI
resin. The substrate 101 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible
substrate.
[0148] The buffer layer 102 may be disposed on the substrate 101.
The buffer layer 102 may prevent the diffusion of impurity ions and
the infiltration of moisture or external air and may perform a
surface planarization function. The buffer layer 102 may include
silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon oxynitride. The buffer
layer 102 may not be provided depending on the type of the
substrate 101 and how the substrate 101 is fabricated.
[0149] The semiconductor layer 105 may be disposed on the buffer
layer 102. The semiconductor layer 105 may form the channels of the
TFTs of the pixels PX. The semiconductor layer 105 may include
polycrystalline silicon. Portions of the semiconductor layer 105
(e.g., source/drain regions) that are connected to the source/drain
electrodes of the TFTs of the pixels PX may be doped with impurity
ions (e.g., p-type impurity ions). A trivalent dopant, such as
boron (B), may be used as the source of the p-type impurity ions.
The semiconductor layer 105 may include, instead of polycrystalline
silicon, monocrystalline silicon, low-temperature polycrystalline
silicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor, such as
indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO) or indium gallium zinc oxide
(IGZO).
[0150] The first insulating layer 171 may be disposed on the
semiconductor layer 171. The first insulating layer 171 may be a
gate insulating layer having a gate insulating function.
[0151] The first gate conductive layer 110 may be disposed on the
first insulating layer 171. The first gate conductive layer 110 may
include the gate electrodes of transistors. The first gate
conductive layer 110 may include the first electrodes of storage
capacitors Cst.
[0152] The first gate conductive layer 110 may include at least one
metal selected from among molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum
(Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au),
nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium
(Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), and copper
(Cu).
[0153] The second insulating layer 172 may be disposed on the first
gate conductive layer 110. The second insulating layer 172 may be
an interlayer insulating layer.
[0154] The second gate conductive layer 120 may be disposed on the
second insulating layer 172. The second gate conductive layer 120
may include the second electrodes of the storage capacitors Cst.
The second gate conductive layer 120 may be disposed to overlap
with the first gate conductive layer 110 with the second insulating
layer 172 interposed therebetween and thus to form the storage
capacitors Cst. The second gate conductive layer 120 may include
the same material as the first gate conductive layer 110.
[0155] The third insulating layer 173 may be disposed on the second
gate conductive layer 120.
[0156] The first source/drain conductive layer 130 may be disposed
on the third insulating layer 173. The first source/drain
conductive layer 130 may include source electrodes 132 and drain
electrodes 131, and the data wires 136 (of FIG. 6). The source
electrodes 132 and drain electrodes 131 may be electrically
connected to the semiconductor layer 105 through contact holes that
penetrate the second and third insulating layers 172 and 173 to
expose the semiconductor layer 105.
[0157] The first source/drain conductive layer 130 may include at
least one metal selected from among Mo, Al, Pt, Pd, Ag, Mg, Au, Ni,
Nd, Ir, Cr, Ca, Ti, Ta, W, and Cu. The first source/drain
conductive layer 130 may be a single-layer film or a multilayer
film. For example, the first source/drain conductive layer 130 may
be formed to have a stacked structure of Ti/Al/Ti, Mo/Al/Mo,
Mo/AlGe/Mo, or Ti/Cu.
[0158] The fourth insulating layer 174 may be disposed on the first
source/drain conductive layer 130, and the second source/drain
conductive layer 140 may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer
174.
[0159] The second source/drain conductive layer 140 may include the
connecting wires 146 (i.e., the first through k-th connecting wires
DM1 through DMk). The connecting wires 146 may be disposed to
overlap with the data wires 136 (i.e., the first through m-th data
wires D1 through Dm) in a cross-sectional view.
[0160] The second source/drain conductive layer 140 may include the
dummy patterns DP. Gaps G may be formed between the dummy patterns
DP or between the dummy patterns DP and the connecting wires
146.
[0161] The second source/drain conductive layer 140 may include the
same metal(s) as the first source/drain conductive layer 130.
[0162] The fifth insulating layer 175 may be disposed on the second
source/drain conductive layer 140, and the first electrode layer
150 may be disposed on the fifth insulating layer 175. The first
electrode layer 150 may include anode electrodes 151 of OLEDs, and
the anode electrodes 151 may be electrically connected to the drain
electrodes 131 of the first transistors through contact holes that
penetrate the fifth and fourth insulating layers 175 and 174.
[0163] The light-emitting element layer EML may be disposed on the
first electrode layer 150 and may include the pixel-defining layer
176 and an organic layer EL. The pixel-defining layer 176 may be
disposed on the anode electrodes 151 and along the edges of each of
the anode electrodes 151 and may include openings which expose the
first electrode layer 150.
[0164] The organic layer EL may be disposed in the openings of the
pixel-defining layer 176. The organic layer EL may include an
organic light-emitting layer, a hole injection/transport layer, and
an electron injection/transport layer. The second electrode layer
160 (or the cathode electrodes of the OLEDs) may be disposed on the
organic layer EL and on the pixel-defining layer 176. The second
electrode layer 160 may be a common electrode disposed in the
entire display area DA of the display device 1.
[0165] A passivation layer 180 may be disposed on the second
electrode layer 160. The passivation layer 180 may prevent moisture
or oxygen from infiltrating into the light-emitting element layer
EML. The passivation layer 180 may include at least one inorganic
film and/or at least one organic film. The inorganic film may
include at least one inorganic material selected from among, for
example, Al.sub.xO.sub.y, TiO.sub.x, ZrO.sub.x, SiO.sub.x,
AlO.sub.xN.sub.y, Al.sub.xN.sub.y, SiO.sub.xN.sub.y,
Si.sub.xN.sub.y, ZnO.sub.x, and Ta.sub.xO.sub.y. The organic film
may be formed by polymerizing at least one monomer selected from
the group consisting of pentabromophenyl acrylate,
2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl methacrylate, N-vinylcarbazole,
bis(methacryloylthiophenyl)sulfide, and zirconium acrylate. The
organic film may be a planarization film.
[0166] The touch sensing layer TSL may be disposed on the
passivation layer 180.
[0167] The touch sensing layer TSL may include a first touch
conductive layer, a first touch insulating layer 191, a second
touch conductive layer, and a second touch insulating layer 192.
The touch sensing layer TSL may further include a buffer layer (not
illustrated) which is disposed below the first touch conductive
layer for forming the first touch conductive layer, the first touch
insulating layer 191, the second touch conductive layer, and the
second touch insulating layer 192, but the inventive concept is not
limited thereto.
[0168] Each of the first and second touch conductive layers may
have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure consisting
of two or more layers. When formed to have a single-layer
structure, each of the first and second touch conductive layers may
include a metal layer or a transparent conductive layer. The metal
layer may include Mo, Ag, Ti, Cu, Al, or an alloy thereof. The
transparent conductive layer may include a transparent conductive
oxide such as ITO, IZO, zinc oxide (ZnO), or ITZO. The transparent
conductive layer may also include a conductive polymer such as
PEDOT, metal nanowire, or graphene. When formed to have a
multilayer structure, each of the first and second touch conductive
layers may include multiple metal layers. The multiple metal layers
may have a triple-layer structure of Ti/Al/Ti. When formed to have
a multilayer structure, each of the first and second touch
conductive layers may include at least one metal layer and at least
one transparent conductive layer.
[0169] The first and second touch conductive layers may have a mesh
shape. In this case, the first and second touch conductive layers
may not be visible to the user.
[0170] The first touch conductive layer may include the connecting
electrodes BE. The second touch conductive layer may include the
first touch electrodes TE and the second touch electrodes RE. The
first touch electrodes TE may be connected to the connecting
electrodes BE through third contact holes CNT3 which penetrate the
first touch insulating layer 191. Accordingly, the first touch
electrodes TE and the second touch electrodes RE can be prevented
from being short-circuited at the intersections therebetween.
[0171] In order to prevent the aperture ratio of the pixels PX from
decreasing, the first touch electrodes TE, the second touch
electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes BE may be disposed to
overlap with the pixel-defining layer 176.
[0172] Each of the first and second touch insulating layers 191 and
192 may have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure.
Each of the first and second touch insulating layers 191 and 192
may include an inorganic material, an organic material, or a
combination thereof.
[0173] Each of the first and second touch insulating layers 191 and
192 may include an organic film and/or an inorganic film. The
inorganic film may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium
oxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and
hafnium oxide. The organic film may include at least one of an
acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, a vinyl resin, an
epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a cellulose resin, a siloxane resin,
a PI resin, a PA resin, and a perylene resin.
[0174] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment
of the invention will hereinafter be described. Like reference
numerals indicate like elements throughout the present disclosure,
and thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted or at least
simplified.
[0175] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 is an
enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG. 11.
[0176] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a display device 1_1 differs
from the display device 1 of FIGS. 6 through 10 in the pattern of
arrangement of dummy patterns DP_1.
[0177] Specifically, the dummy patterns DP_1 may include third
dummy patterns DP3' and fourth dummy patterns DP4', and the third
dummy patterns DP3' and the fourth dummy patterns DP4' may be
disposed in a second area DAB of a display area DA.
[0178] The third dummy patterns DP3' may extend in a first
direction W1 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel to one
another.
[0179] The fourth dummy patterns DP4' may extend in a second
direction W2 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel to one
another. A plurality of fourth dummy patterns DP4' may be disposed
between the third dummy patterns DP3' as island patterns.
[0180] For example, the third dummy patterns DP3' may have a
greater average length than the fourth dummy patterns DP4'.
[0181] For example, the dummy patterns DP_1 may not overlap with
first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk in a plan view.
Accordingly, gaps G may be formed between the dummy patterns DP_1
and the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk.
[0182] The dummy patterns DP_1 may not overlap with one another.
Accordingly, gaps G may also be formed between the dummy patterns
DP_1.
[0183] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the gaps G formed in
the display device 1_1 may overlap with first touch electrodes TE,
second touch electrodes RE, and connecting electrodes BE of a touch
sensing layer TSL.
[0184] As described above, since the dummy patterns DP_1 include
first dummy patterns DP1, second dummy patterns DP2, the third
dummy patterns DP3', and the fourth dummy patterns DP4', the dummy
patterns DP_1 can form a lattice pattern shape in the display area
DA together with connecting wires 146. Also, as described above,
since the first touch electrodes TE, the second touch electrodes
RE, and the connecting electrodes BE block the gaps G formed in the
display area DA, the reflection of external light by the gaps G can
be prevented, and smudges caused by the gaps G can be prevented
from becoming visible.
[0185] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment
of the invention will hereinafter be described.
[0186] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 is an
enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG. 13.
[0187] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a display device 1_2 differs
from the display device 1 of FIGS. 6 through 10 in the pattern of
arrangement of dummy patterns DP_2.
[0188] Specifically, the dummy patterns DP_2 may include fifth
dummy patterns DP5 which are disposed in a second area DAB of a
display area DA.
[0189] The fifth dummy patterns DP5 may be arranged in a lattice
pattern form in and across the second area DAB. That is, the fifth
dummy patterns DP5 may include a plurality of column patterns which
extend in a first direction W1 and a plurality of row patterns
which extend in a second direction W2. The column patterns may be
disposed to intersect, and overlap with, the row patterns. No gaps
may be formed in the second area DAB where the fifth dummy patterns
DP5 are disposed. Gaps G may be formed only at the interface
between a first area DAA and the second area DAB between the fifth
dummy patterns DP5 and first through k-th connecting wires DM1
through DMk.
[0190] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the gaps G formed in the display
area DA may overlap with first touch electrodes TE, second touch
electrodes RE, and connecting electrodes BE of a touch sensing
layer TSL.
[0191] As described above, since the dummy patterns DP_2 include
the fifth dummy patterns DP5, which are formed as lattice patterns,
the fifth dummy patterns DP5 may form a lattice pattern shape in
the display area DA together with connecting wires 146. Also, as
described above, since the first touch electrodes TE, the second
touch electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes BE block the
gaps G formed in the display area DA, the reflection of external
light by the gaps G can be prevented, and smudges caused by the
gaps G can be prevented from becoming visible.
[0192] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment
of the invention will hereinafter be described.
[0193] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 is an
enlarged plan view of an area A of FIG. 15.
[0194] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a display device 1_3 differs
from the display device 1 of FIGS. 6 through 10 in that connecting
wires 146' include protruding wire patterns 146P, and that dummy
patterns DP_3 include first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 and
second protruding dummy patterns DPP2.
[0195] Specifically, the connecting wires 146' may include the
protruding wire patterns 146P in a first area DAA of a display area
DA. The protruding wire patterns 146P may include first protruding
wire patterns 146P1 which are projected in a first direction W1,
second protruding wire patterns 146P2 which are projected in the
opposite direction of the first direction W1, third protruding wire
patterns 146P3 which are projected in a second direction W2, and
fourth protruding wire patterns 146P4 which are projected in the
opposite direction of the second direction W2.
[0196] The first protruding wire patterns 146P1 may be parallel to
the second protruding wire patterns 146P2. Columns of first
protruding wire patterns 146P1 may be aligned with columns of
second protruding wire patterns 146P2. The first protruding wire
patterns 146P1 and the second protruding wire patterns 146P2 may
overlap with first through m-th data wires D1 through Dm.
[0197] The distance between the first protruding wire patterns
146P1 may be the same as the distance in the second direction W2
between the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk.
Also, the distance between the first protruding wire patterns 146P1
may be the same as the distance in the second direction W2 between
the first m-th data wires D1 through Dm.
[0198] The distance between the second protruding wire patterns
146P2 may be the same as the distance in the second distance W2
between the first protruding wire patterns 146P1.
[0199] The third protruding wire patterns 146P3 may be parallel to
the fourth protruding wire patterns 146P4. Rows of third protruding
wire patterns 146P3 may be aligned with rows of fourth protruding
wire patterns 146P4.
[0200] The distance between the third protruding wire patterns
146P3 may be the same as the distance in the first distance W1
between the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through
DMk.
[0201] The distance between the fourth protruding wire patterns
146P4 may be the same as the distance in the first distance W1
between the third protruding wire patterns 146P3.
[0202] The first protruding wire patterns 146P1 and/or the second
protruding wire patterns 146P2 may form a right angle with the
third protruding wire patterns 146P3 and/or the fourth protruding
wire patterns 146P4.
[0203] The first protruding wire patterns 146P1 and/or the second
protruding wire patterns 146P2 may have a greater average length
than the third protruding wire patterns 146P3 and/or the fourth
protruding wire patterns 146P4.
[0204] For example, the dummy patterns DP_3 may include, in a
second area DAB of the display area DA, sixth dummy patterns DP6,
the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1, and the second protruding
dummy patterns DPP2, and the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1
and the second protruding dummy patterns DPP2 may be projected from
the sixth dummy patterns DP6.
[0205] Specifically, the sixth dummy patterns DP6 may extend in the
second direction W2, the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 may
be projected from the sixth dummy patterns DP6 in the first
direction W1, and the second protruding dummy patterns DPP2 may be
projected from the sixth dummy patterns DP6 in the opposite
direction of the first direction W1.
[0206] The sixth dummy patterns DP6 may be parallel to the second
portions of the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through
DMk.
[0207] The distance between the sixth dummy patterns DP6 may be the
same as the distance in the first direction W1 between the first
through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk. Also, the distance
between the sixth dummy patterns DP6 may be the same as the
distance in the first direction W1 between the third protruding
wire patterns 146P3 and/or between the fourth protruding wire
patterns 146P4.
[0208] The first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 may be parallel to
the second protruding dummy patterns DPP2. Columns of first
protruding dummy patterns DPP1 may be aligned with columns of
second protruding dummy patterns DPP2. Also, the columns of first
protruding dummy patterns DPP1 and the columns of second protruding
dummy patterns DPP2 may be aligned with columns of first protruding
wire patterns 146P1 and columns of second protruding wire patterns
146P2.
[0209] The first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 and the second
protruding dummy patterns DPP2 may overlap with the first through
m-th data wires D1 through Dm.
[0210] The distance between the first protruding dummy patterns
DPP1 may be the same as the distance in the second direction W2
between the first through k-th connecting wires DM1 through DMk.
Also, the distance between the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1
may be the same as the distance in the second direction W2 between
the first through m-th data wires D1 through Dm. Also, the distance
between the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 may be the same as
the distance in the second direction W2 between the first
protruding wire patterns 146P1 and/or between the second protruding
wire patterns 146P2.
[0211] The distance between the second protruding dummy patterns
DPP2 may be the same as the distance in the second direction W2
between the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1.
[0212] For example, the first protruding wire patterns 146P1 may
not overlap with the second protruding wire patterns 146P2.
Accordingly, gaps G may be formed between the first protruding wire
patterns 146P1 and the second protruding wire patterns 146P2.
[0213] Also, the third protruding wire patterns 146P3 may not
overlap with the fourth protruding wire patterns 146P4.
Accordingly, gaps G may be formed between the third protruding wire
patterns 146P3 and the fourth protruding wire patterns 146P4.
[0214] Also, the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 may not
overlap with the second protruding dummy patterns DPP2.
Accordingly, gaps G may be formed between the first protruding
dummy patterns DPP1 and the second protruding dummy patterns
DPP2.
[0215] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the gaps G formed in the display
device 1_3 may overlap with first touch electrodes TE, second touch
electrodes RE, and connecting electrodes BE of a touch sensing
layer TSL.
[0216] As described above, since the connecting wires 146' include
the first protruding wire patterns 146P1, the second protruding
wire patterns 146P2, the third protruding wire patterns 146P3, and
the fourth protruding wire patterns 146P4 and the dummy patterns
DP_3 include the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 and the
second protruding dummy patterns DPP2, which are both projected
from the sixth protruding dummy patterns DP6, a lattice pattern
shape can be formed in and across the display area DA. Also, as
described above, since the first touch electrodes TE, the second
touch electrodes RE, and the connecting electrodes BE block the
gaps G formed in the display area DA, the reflection of external
light by the gaps G can be prevented, and smudges caused by the
gaps G can be prevented from becoming visible.
[0217] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate that the sixth dummy patterns DP6
extend in the second direction W2, and that the first protruding
dummy patterns DPP1 and the second protruding dummy patterns DPP2
are projected from the sixth dummy patterns DP6 in the first
direction W1, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto.
Alternatively, the sixth dummy patterns DP6 may extend in the first
direction W1, and the first protruding dummy patterns DPP1 and the
second protruding dummy patterns DPP2 may be projected from the
sixth dummy patterns DP6 in the second direction W2.
[0218] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment
of the invention will hereinafter be described.
[0219] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a display device according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 18 is an
exemplary cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII' of
FIG. 17.
[0220] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a display device 1_4 differs
from the display device 1 of FIGS. 4 through 10 in that shielding
patterns BP are further disposed on dummy patterns DP.
[0221] Specifically, the shielding patterns BP may be disposed in
and across a display area DA. The shielding patterns BP may extend
in a first direction W1 in a plan view and may be disposed parallel
to one another.
[0222] The shielding patterns BP may be disposed on a fifth
insulating layer 175. The shielding patterns BP may be disposed in
the same layer as a first electrode layer 150. The shielding
patterns BP may include an opaque conductive material. The
shielding patterns BP may receive the same voltage as a first power
supply voltage ELVDD which is applied to driving transistors.
[0223] The shielding patterns BP may overlap with gaps G formed
between the dummy patterns DP and first through k-th connecting
wires DM1 through DMk. Also, the shielding patterns BP may overlap
with gaps G formed between the dummy patterns DP. Accordingly,
since the shielding patterns BP block the gaps G between the dummy
patterns DP and between the dummy patterns DP and connecting wires
146, smudges caused by the gaps G can be prevented from becoming
visible.
[0224] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate that the shielding patterns BP
are formed as column patterns extending in the first direction W1,
but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively,
the shielding patterns BP may be formed as row patterns extending
in the second direction W2 or as lattice patterns consisting of
column patterns extending in the first direction W1 and row
patterns extending in the second direction W2.
[0225] A display device according to another exemplary embodiment
of the invention will hereinafter be described. FIG. 19 is another
exemplary cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII' of
FIG. 17.
[0226] Referring to FIG. 19, a display device 1_5 differs from the
display device 1_4 of FIGS. 17 and 18 in that shielding patterns
BP' are disposed on a sixth insulating layer 175'.
[0227] The sixth insulating layer 175' may be disposed between a
fifth insulating layer 175 and a first electrode layer 150. The
sixth insulating layer 175' may be formed as a via layer together
with the fifth insulating layer 175.
[0228] As already described above, the shielding patterns BP' may
be disposed on the sixth insulating layer 175'. Since the shielding
patterns BP' block gaps G formed in a display area DA, the
reflection of external light by the gaps G can be prevented, and
smudges caused by the gaps G can be prevented from becoming
visible.
[0229] Although certain exemplary embodiments have been described
herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from
this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not
limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the
appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent
arrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in
the art.
* * * * *